Kids Blog-Jesus anointed at Bethany
Last week, kids heard about how one woman showed how valuable she thought Jesus was.
Bible Story: Jesus anointed at Bethany, John 12:1-8
Bible verse: "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." John 12:7-8
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume, she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas objected, "Why wasn't this perfume given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
When Mary poured an expensive perfume on Jesus, Judas was upset because he thought Mary had done the wrong thing. Judas thought that she wasted the expensive perfume by pouring it on Jesus. The Bible is clear that he did not say this because he was concerned about the poor but because he loved money. The perfume she poured on Jesus was no doubt precious to her, but she gave it all to Jesus as an example of devotion and love for Him. It was worth a year's pay! Mary showed that Jesus deserved to be honored and worshiped. By allowing Mary to anoint Him, Jesus showed that He is more valuable than anything because Jesus gave Himself fully and freely that our sins would be forgiven and we would be set free from sin and death!
What are the things we value the most in our lives? What thing is most important to us? How can we show that we treasure Jesus? How can we honor and worship Jesus the way Mary worshipped Him? This week, as we think about the way Mary showed her devotion and love for Jesus, let us pray that God will give us wisdom and insight to worship Him wholeheartedly with our time, talents, gifts and character.